Entry Level Medical Jobs That Don't Require A Degree

If you’re interested in starting a career that has many opportunities with good earnings, but don’t want to commit to a degree program yet, then you should consider a career in the healthcare industry. The healthcare industry is one of the best career paths for those who are looking to start a career, and generate some income for their degree interest down the road. We have compiled a list of the best entry level medical jobs that don’t require a degree. 

Why You Should Consider An Entry Level Medical Job

You should consider an entry level medical job if you’re interested in impacting others in a positive way. In addition, the healthcare industry is a great industry to get involved in if you want to get your foot in the door for future career opportunities. In 2016, the healthcare industry created more jobs than any other industry and is on track to continue that trend moving forward over the next decade.

This means, that the healthcare industry is also one of the most stable industries to start a career in. This is great for those individuals who are looking to get their foot in the door in a career that will pay dividends down the road. Another great reason to consider an entry level medical job, is that entry level hospital jobs top charts for career growth over the next decade.

Many of the entry level medical jobs listed below require certifications or short-term program completion to become certified in the respective position.

With the healthcare industry continually growing, and entry level medical jobs being some of the fastest growing occupations over the next decade, the time to consider hospital jobs that don’t require a degree is now.

Best Entry Level Medical Jobs That Don’t Require A Degree

1. Personal Care Aides

Personal care aides typically provide personal care to individuals who are homebound in some capacity or another. Personal care aides help provide much needed assistance in simple things like personal grooming, meal preparation, housekeeping, grocery shopping, and other tasks that might be needed for the patient.

According to PayScale, Personal Care Aides earn between $17,123 and $35,415. According to the BLS, Personal Care Aides are projected to have 41% job growth over the next decade.

2. Home Health Aides

Home health aides differ from personal care aides in that they provide basic care to patients in their residence. Home health aides provide some of the most critical care to home bound patients who might not have access to a local hospital or healthcare facility, or need frequent treatment options. Home health aides help provide routine checkups, ensure patients take their medicine, and also check their vitals to ensure they are within normal levels. This is one of the great entry level medical jobs that leaves a foot in the door for those who are looking to gain experience in patient care.

Home Health Aides typically earn between $18,610 and $24,320. According to the BLS, Home Health Aides are projected to have 41% job growth over the next decade.

3. Occupational Therapy Aides

Occupational therapy aides help patients through the direct supervision of occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistants. Some of the ways that occupational therapy aides can help patients is through the preparation of patients, appointment scheduling, completing insurance forms, miscellaneous paperwork guidance, and preparing treatment areas.

Occupational Therapy Aides typically earn between $20,750 and $33,030. According to the BLS, Occupational Therapy Aides are projected to have 28% job growth over the next decade.

4. Medical Secretary

Medical secretaries help provide structure to the chaotic office or healthcare facility environment. These critical employees help by performing administrative tasks related to patients and healthcare professionals that include answering phones, taking messages, managing important paperwork, and making appointments.

According to PayScale, Medical Secretaries typically earn between $23,317 and $43,262. According to the BLS, Medical Secretaries are projected to have 22% job growth over the net decade.

5. Surgical Technologist

Surgical technologists are some of the most important individuals required in an operating room. Surgical technologists work under the supervision of a surgeon and typically assist the surgical team during the course of the surgery. They help handle the tools, anticipate surgical needs, and will assist the nurses within the scrub room.

Surgical Technologists typically earn between $37, 679 and $46,717. According to the BLS, Surgical Technologists are projected to have 12% job growth over the next decade.

6. Medical Assistant

Medical assistants provide a wide range of tasks in hospitals and healthcare facilities. These various tasks might be clinical or administrative activities, and typically feature a combination of both. Similar to medical secretaries, medical assistants are in charge of handling billing, measuring vital signs, obtaining patient medical histories, and educating patients about specialized diets and medications.

Medical Assistants typically earn between $30,142 and $35,297. According to the BLS, Medical Assistants are projected to have 29% job growth over the next decade.

7. Phlebotomist

Phlebotomists are responsible for helping collect blood samples for testing procedures and donation drives. Phlebotomists usually then take these samples to be analyzed in a diganostics lab for use in medical diagnostic reports. Phlebotomists also properly store blood components, and provide an extra level of detail for physicians and other medical professionals who have to rely on the critical blood samples that phlebotomists obtain.

Becoming a phlebotomist is a great way to receive exposure to see how each different medical personnel works with each other. This job comes highly recommended as one of the best entry level medical jobs to consider.

Phlebotomists typically earn between $25,960 and $36,750. According to the BLS, Phlebotomists are projected to have 25% job growth over the next decade.

8. Licensed Practical Nurse

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or as they’re called Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs). LPNs are responsible for providing care to patients under the direct supervision of a registered nurse, or physician. Typical duties include providing treatment for bedsores, taking vital signs, monitoring catheters, providing comfort measures to patients, and collecting lab samples for testing.

Licensed Practical Nurses typically earn between $40,455 and $49,804. According to the BLS, Licensed Practical Nurses are projected to have 12% job growth over the next decade.

9. Dental Assistant

Dental assistants help provide additional support to both dentists and dental hygienists. Dental assistants typically provide care to patients for various tasks that might arise in a dentist’s office. These responsibilities include scheduling appointments, taking clinical x-rays for use by the dentist, and record keeping tasks. For those who are interested in pursuing a career in the dental industry, becoming a dental assistant is one of the best entry level medical jobs to pursue.

According to PayScale, Dental Assistants typically earn between $22,828 and $44,460. According to the BLS, Dental Assistants are projected to have 19% job growth over the next decade.

10. Physical Therapist Aide

Physical Therapy Aides assist patients with various physical therapy procedures and treatments. PTAs are under the supervision and direction of a physical therapist who oversees the patient’s treatment. Physical Therapist Aides help patients improve their mobility, prevent or minimize physical disability, promote overall fitness goals, and help provide pain relief.

According to PayScale, Physical Therapist Aides typically earn between $19,873 and $34,922. According to the BLS, Physical Therapist Aides are projected to have 31% job growth over the next decade.

11. Emergency Medical Technician / Paramedic

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Paramedics are one of the critical pieces to providing emergency care. EMTs are the ones who respond to emergency situations, evaluate and then treat patients in emergency situations. EMTs typically perform CPR, administer oxygen, provide interventions to allergic reactions, treat diabetic patients, and transport patients safely for further care.

EMTs and Paramedics typically earn between $34,875 and $44,389. According to the BLS, EMTs and Paramedics are projected to have 15% job growth over the next decade.

12. Medical Coder

Medical coders are responsible for assigning medical codes as required, and reviewing medical records to ensure proper billing for medical services rendered. . Medical coders are required to know private payer insurance policies, in addition to government policies to make sure accurate billing and medical coding procedures are followed.

Medical Coders typically earn between $28,250 and $46,640. According to the BLS, Medical Coders are projected to have 13% job growth over the next decade.

13. Nursing Assistant

Nursing assistants help provide patients with any personal care they might need while receiving care in a hospital or healthcare facility. Typically, these personal care tasks are any daily tasks that a patient might not be able to do alone. Some of these tasks include: getting dressed, oral care, eating, making their bed, bladder control, assisting patients while walking, and bathing routines.

Nursing Assistants typically earn between $27,365 and $33,574. According to the BLS, Nursing Assistants are projected to have 11% job growth over the next decade.

14. Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy technicians are responsible for helping fill prescriptions and interacting with patients. Pharmacy technicians are often under the direct supervision of a pharmacist. A normal day’s routine for a pharmacy technician might interacting with patients, filling prescriptions, counting prescriptions, or mixing medication under the supervision of a pharmacist. In addition, pharmacy technicians might be responsible for filing insurance claim forms, inventory management, and consultation with patients on medical side effects.

Pharmacy Technicians typically earn between $24,470 and $36,600. According to the BLS, Pharmacy Technicians are projected to have 12% job growth over the next decade.

15. Ultrasound Technician

Ultrasound Technicians help provide ultrasounds on patients. These ultrasounds help create images of patients’ internal organs. These images are vital for doctors and other healthcare professionals to properly diagnose and figure out the proper treatment plan for ailing patients.

According to PayScale, Ultrasound Technicians typically earn between $31,611 and $78,701. According to the BLS, Ultrasound Technicians are projected to have 23% job growth.



As one can see, there are plenty of entry level medical jobs that would create a great starting point to the healthcare industry if you decide to pursue them. In addition, while you are working in one of these entry level medical jobs, you could save money for a degree down the road if you decide to get an education and further your healthcare career path.